Hong Kong-based Cathay Cargo has announced it carried 11 per cent more cargo in March 2026 than in March 2025, whilst Available Freight Tonne Kilometres increased by 2 per cent, according to reporting in Aviation Business News.

The cargo carrier revealed that in the first three months of 2026, total tonnage increased by 8 per cent compared with the same period for 2025. March marks the traditional quarter-end peak period for cargo operations.

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau stated: "March marks the traditional quarter-end peak period for cargo. Tonnage growth was solid across our network, particularly from our home market of Hong Kong and the wider Greater Bay Area, as well as the rest of the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia and Europe."

Lau noted that among specialist solutions, Cathay Priority recorded increased tonnage as shippers sought to secure capacity on long-haul routes amid ongoing market capacity adjustments arising from the Middle East situation. She added: "Meanwhile, Cathay Expert and Cathay Dangerous Goods also saw a boost from semiconductor and chemical shipments."

Looking to April, Lau stated: "We anticipate demand on long-haul trunk routes to remain healthy through the seasonal holidays. Market conditions are expected to remain dynamic and sensitive to the ongoing developments in the Middle East, and the consequential capacity constraints across certain trade lanes. Our freighter services to Dubai and Riyadh also remain suspended until May 31, 2026."

The volume growth reflects sustained demand for air cargo capacity serving Asian manufacturing export markets, with Hong Kong maintaining its position as a major air freight hub connecting China and Southeast Asia to European and North American destinations.

Read Cathay Cargo's complete March 2026 volume performance and first-quarter tonnage growth analysis in the complete report.